Mercedes SLS AMG & Ducati 1198 SP from a bikers point of view

Ducati's ultimate evolution of the 1198, the SP, takes on the 571bhp Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG. MCN Road Tester Michael Neeves takes a look at the world's most powerful production V8 supercar through the eyes of a biker. Is it really that fast? Does it compare to the superbike?
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[@philbase]

A car driver who has never ridden a bike cannot ever have an opinion. The experience of being on a bike is simply mind blowing...

[@isaachunt5799]

yep. many keyboard commandos talking shoite about bikes have never riden one

[@philbase]

love keyboard commando's!

[@WDLC1911]

Mark cbay, it takes skill drive either. The bike is obviously more difficult to drive fast and well. The more power the car has the more tricky it will be and cars like Porsche 911s are NOT easy to drive well at speed.

[@PantherP74]

I give bikers the credit they deserve. They are hugely fast, nimble, and unless you have a 1,000 hp car, you're not coming close usually in a race. BUT I can hit some gravel in my 420 hp Mustang and not die. I can drive in the rain and not be miserable. I can load up my car with a few friends and luggage and go on a road trip. Bikes have their place, as do cars. Any comparison is meaningless.

[@thegreatdandino118]

yeah Gravel will do it, I love bikes, but as you say, they have their place.

[@solidsnake2164]

i love the bike coz me and my girl and no her friends can't come. it stays that way just the two of us. plus she says its more fun. i have both so rain isn't an issue. i still hate gravel though..

[@patrickconnor3863]

Tell you what your right but there is no more joy than riding you bike fast down a tiwsty road

[@leeher6813]

Thanks for

[@harold-sweat-head8111]

That's why I laugh at bikers who call car drivers 'cagers'. The truth is, 99% of bikers are really car drivers who just use their bikes in the warm summer months at weekends.

[@Premises187]

Amen to that opening speech about how epic motorcycles are!!!

[@xorbe2]

You can tell how bored he is with the acceleration, lol.

[@patthonsirilim5739]

not to 186mph the 1299 superleggera was faster to the mile run and only slowed down once it hits its rev limit that 1198sp is probably one of the slower superbike out there

[@ninjarider2032]

@@patthonsirilim5739 balls life is clearly just an ignorant nob

[@fragglevooper]

What happened? I fell asleep when the car was on

[@DB-gv6oi]

Nice to see "how the car feels" versus the usual "comparative tests". Always fun to see the difference.

[@92Fizzy]

As much as I like bikes, you really need to try the Ariel Atom V8!

[@voilemontagne]

as a car guy, i've to admit that on a straight line any supercar are no match for a superbike (except against a p1, 918 or laferrari or tuned car) but on the corner, supercar are faster realy, and you can have more control and drift, but i think that you can have very good sensation on a bike too. It's just two different way to have fun isn't it? :)

[@patthonsirilim5739]

Bike are fun cars are more practical you can drive a ferrari the whole day you cant really do that on a super bike unless your planing on not going to work tmr my v4 is the most exciting thing i ever ridden but i will never ride more then 3 hrs on that thing its unbearable in traffic you feel you nuts boiling

[@InsaneShredFury]

MCN vids have come on leaps and bounds, no more annoying wind noise and in and out of focus. Well done MCN

[@Cyan37]

My left ear enjoyed the show... -.-

[@VisorView]

Simple truth is that bikes are so involving to ride that no car will ever come close. The number of 'sporty' car drivers I know who say that they gave a sports bike a race and nearly 'had him' makes me laugh, I merely point out that the bike will do 0-60 in 2.5secs, and that I doubt the rider knew that he was supposed to be in a race, was probably on half revs. whilst the car was probably on the limit and losing ground.

[@PieEater8899]

I'm not a motorcyclist, but this review is, in my opinion, really good. The reviewer goes through all the positive and negative points, and even concludes on sensible reasons where the car wins out over the motorcycle. He's not looking to use the vehicle as some sort of phallic symbol, or going into endless narrative about feature, X, Y and Z -- like J. Clarkson. He doesn't say the car is a boondoggle, he just points out where the bike wins. And it's with the acceleration. Commendable review.

[@tomplum2751]

I'd have the car, sell it, and buy a few bikes. Simple.

[@minatormyth]

So you would buy the car just to sell it and buy a few bikes 🤔

[@tomplum2751]

@@minatormyth This is assuming you could just have one or the other for free.

[@mugget]

"Those car types are easily impressed because they don't know the meaning of the word acceleration from a motorbike." Haha - So true!! Oh yeah, awesome editing as well!

[@sdguero28]

I was a car guy. Then I got a 20 year old CB750 last year as my first bike. It accelerates faster than any car I've ever owned (0-60MPH in 3.9s) and it cost $1500. I rarely get in my V-8 anymore and I can't wait to get my next bike. If you like pure speed, motorcycles are the way to go.

[@pesciro]

Bikes and cars are totally different beasts, speed on a motorcycle is something that you have to experience personally to understand the feeling. A bike is way more intense.

[@christosswc]

Nice video, I like this guy. He forgot to say that at the end of the day driving pleasure comes mainly from going round corners. These bikes have a bit too much power for the amount of grip. Straights don't last long but braking and cornering sure does. It comes down to preference, whether you like to drive a bike, a car or play golf. You can have more fun in a small GTI and a 250cc motorcycle. You can have more fun driving fast on a twisty road and there are no straights there.

[@kalimera8764]

The videos are getting better and better! Filming, editing and sound quality! Great job. Quite a special shoutout this one!

[@Vatlol]

Amen, we need more people like you on the internets...

[@Groagun]

This piece was very well shot and produced: MCN has stepped up it's game. I hope you do far more videos like this one.

[@Terraceview]

Wouldn't mind having both, but that Ducati is def the one for my Sundays!

[@geoffhill6992]

any muppet car drive any car - you have to have balls/guts to ride a bike - period

[@crazyjoyce]

finally, a properly decent video from MCN. wind noise down the mic is history?!

[@sgtunix]

These MCN videos have really come a far way. Congrats with a great video....

[@zepmon]

as a biker for 23 years of my 27 year life, i can say hand on heart that going fast in a straight line is crap, anyone can do it, in a tin box or on a bike, but making a bike go round a bend (ok its not as fast as a car in the corner) is a speciasl feeling of achievement that you made a machine that hates corners go round it fast. I find it far better than sitting in a seat turning a big circle, and the mid corner speed differance isnt important when you come out of the corner faster.

[@MuhammadRashidi]

MCN now are actually better in term of their presentation... good job! love em

[@ESPPsycho]

Wow, I've been watching these videos for a long time. I can see how you've grown as a rider over the years. Your riding in this is outstanding. Very jealous here!

[@jacklong6780]

i love how right when he says " it has a 6.2 liter engine" the camera man films the 6.3 badge on the car.

[@monomakes]

MCN videos are getting much better than they used to be!

[@cafepk]

great review!! in the eyes of a biker.... nothing compares....

[@artx4321]

you do have to remember thought that the target markets for these things are worlds apart. Both are astounding machines.

[@GrecoRoman123]

@Nolimittt I have the SLS AMG page at the mercedes-amg website open. Under Engine Specifications - Configuration they post AMG 6.3L V-8. Below that, under Displacement, they post 6,208 cc [which is 6.208 liters]. My understanding is that we are talking about the engine's displacement.

[@Trades46]

I'm a car guy & AMG fan, but the way those superbikes rack up speed is mind-boggling. I'd believe that not even a Lamborghini Aventador (or a Bugatti Veryon for that matter) can outrun these in a 1/4 mile. Not even slightly. I would still prefer the car though; I don't have to skills (nor balls) to ride these insane bikes which can throw you off for nailing the throttle too aggressively.

[@carlosluna3239]

SLS AMG GT & DUCATI DIAVEL CARBON my two loves... perfect combination !!!

[@Ani2301]

Even at 40mph, a bike is still able to put a smile on my face. Cars are amazing, but just don't have the excitement and risk as a bike does.

[@thirdfey]

Look up the specs of the car folks, the displacement of the motor is 6,208cc hence why he says 6.2 and not 6.3. Mercedes as well as other car makes tend to round up whenever they can. Great video btw, I can never seem to get my friends in fast cars to understand how much more faster a bike is then a car even when they see the numbers.

[@robinsonMike]

came here to watch Ducati 1198 SP...,i love it

[@FallRider-oc3vl]

I ride a 2009 Ducati 1198s and I absolutely love my bike and wouldn't trade it for anything but when I see a hellcat I gotta say I'm almost breaking my neck when I go by lol also any car guy, if you want to win the car vs bike argument, the rain is all it takes to clip a superbike riders wings

[@bradlez996]

At 4:41 on the Ducati's speedo, it shows it getting to 185mph, then showed ---, which is what it shows when you go beyond the 300km/h barrier. you gotta check the bikes onboard telemetry system to see actual speed once it does that. it will show lap times, acceleration, braking, top speed.

[@Motasaikuru]

Awesome work Ian Jubb, very well shot and put together.

[@jimbo80982]

mcn dont just SAY it , PROVE it! Everyone knows the bike will win in terms of acceleration and its light , nimble design will definitely help. Show us a round the track race , 3 times for an average. THAT will wipe the smile off the top gear team. Then I will be satisfied! This is coming from a biker as well if anyones interested.

[@bigidiot123]

Like he said I don't care how fast the car is or how fast it is around a track. Nothing puts a smile on your face like a motorbike. Ducati 1198R or a Honda GROM, there's really nothing like it for me.

[@Ryknfjor]

Michael, great job!! Loved the Vid Greetings from America

[@MatinDadib]

Michael Neeves, never knew that you DRIVE is as good as you RIDE before.

[@jorgecosta95]

It is good and all that but cars simply don't have that body-to-body connection that a bike has. In a bike you have to use every single bit of your body and you feel everything, in a car you just go 250km/h and say cool! I tested it myself, I couldn't afford a ducati or a SLS, I just used my YZF R125 which has a top speed of 130km/h and my merc, a C220 Cdi who has a top speed of 220-230 km/h and I got to say that the 130km/h on the YZF R125 feel much better!

[@CrankyHippo]

Wow i applaud you MCN that you really stepped up your game with that editing and filming! Bike = Girlfriend & Car = for girlfriend

[@sriranganferrari]

LOVE TO RIDE/DRIVE BOTH BEASTLY BIKES AND CARS!!!...

[@MrSergo10]

Damn ... that Ducati sounds naughty !!!

[@NotAnotherMage]

4 wheels move the body, 2 wheels move the soul.

[@Chizcake7]

Baby SLS and Ducati

[@therealTOTOfan]

yeah bikes are slower in turns but they are so much faster on straights that they actually have a faster time around the whole track

[@therealTOTOfan]

wow those guys are amazing.. and especially the big heavy police machine cornering is impressive. though what i meant with cars are faster in bends was related to faster cornering like at the race track

[@romeupb8372]

Its not really fair when they dont compare how fast the ducati can get on the same length, or even both laptimes!

[@blackblaud]

All AMG engines sound fantastic, I've heard V12's and all kind of stuff, but this, I think this car sounds really, properly nice. It's really art, I can't think of a car that sounds better than this.

[@kickerl7dakota]

The reason they call it a 6.3 is because they are keeping with tradition. At one time, they actually had a 6.3 liter motor but then changed it to a 6.2 but didn't change the name because it is a franchised number for MB

[@anfman1986]

Which is a good thing, too, because I certainly never wear a jacket and gloves when I'm in my car, and I find standing still TERRIBLY difficult, I just sit down wherever I happen to be when I stop walking.

[@Cstalks1992]

getting a lot better with the vids every time mcn impressed :)

[@cokyrobes]

OMG they actually have a good quality video!!! At last MCN comes to the present day tech!

[@Denstoradiskmaskinen]

There are none that dislikes bikes because none has survived a crash and can dislike

[@denizio20]

best video love it :) where do you shoot it . i want to find a waste land some sort in london to practice wheelies and slow controls any advise ? thanks

[@vancouverS1000rr]

it's actually a 6.2L. it says 6.3 in order to pay homage to the older mercs

[@dsjkak1]

Bike really do have the thrill factor of monster acceleration. It's unreal. Your getting on the highway and then you look down and you're doing 140 going into 3rd and you are not even off the entrance ramp yet. I've been in some cars with some cool set ups. And, my friends who own them are always talking about how fast they are. Then when the punch it. I'm like that's it? You spent $50k on a car put another 15k in it and to get 500+ hp and this is all it does? Get a bike. Or, 6.

[@MiiiK3EY]

bikes are not practical, u cant take friends, u cant transport things, any day is ruined by rain, you have to lug around bike gear, its dangerous, the cold destroys your fingers. ...,but i still love em.

[@benjyboba]

Most don't need to dream to own a Ducati 1198, I got one :)

[@benamin87]

"i know the one my girlfriend would like." that sums up the video for me! nice review

[@seinfeld8812]

So funny...the Ducati goes 187mph....depending on which way the wind is blowing....great clip. The Gullwing is so everything. This should be the next 007 car.

[@warmswan]

@LiterR1 Merc labels it as a 6.3 but its actual displacement is 6.208 afaik

[@LueXiong10]

Don't know why V/L twins don't sound to appealing on video but always sound 10X better in person.

[@geekf1]

Cool video. I'm more of a car guy but i love ducati so i'd probably choose the 1198 over the merc.

[@OBS3RVE]

Great video, really loving the new style of vids!

[@teranantatero]

I can see from his face, that " 3.8 sec " is baby for him, and thats a supercar...

[@ErKa44]

good presentation. I love cars, but for some reason i would go for the ducati. Hmm i wanna ride again :X

[@GOBbluthagain]

Best mcn video yet..

[@sevenrats]

Completely agree. The car guys are always saying that it wasn't the best car. Or they'll start talking about F1 cars. F1 cars aren't even cars. They're airplanes for the ground. Bikes are faster on a road course period. No car will ever beat a bike on the Isle of Man TT. That is real world racing. The fact that bikes require more skill and balls just makes it that much cooler.

[@dmbinns1]

I'd like to see a 1198 against a proper HyperCar. You know the cars that make the SLS AMG look slow in comparison. Pagani Huayra, Koenigsegg One, McLaren P1 etc.

[@bikezonly]

For us bikers, 0-60 mph times remain quite constant, despite bikes getting more and more powerful, unfortunately. Still, 2.5sec kicks supercar butt, not mentioning roll-on acceleration! And for 10X less!

[@undercovrr]

why thank you. Your input is so useful.

[@Skandalos]

On the Nürburgring Nordschleife the best lap times are held by cars not motorbikes, and by quite a margin. Best car time: 6:11, best motorbike time: 7:49.

[@panzr]

Thrills: Supercar @ 190mph with fully enclosed cockpit, seat belt and airbags = 7 Sports bike @ 180mph, exposed but with protective leathers and sturdy helmet = 9 Me on my bicycle at 40mph through heavy urban traffic, fully exposed, no protective gear & just a little helmet, 1 inch wide tires and dodgy brakes = 10!

[@pacrat90]

Wow. Brilliant episode, not based on content but purely on how well it was put together .. almost top-gear level stuff! but with none of the top gear waffle...

[@kasushi]

Brilliant! Don´t stop making this videos!

[@jimmyd1337]

Knew a guy that raced bikes nearly getting into motogp. He said no car is remotely quick until it has atleast 350-400 bhp

[@DontTestTheX]

Think the reason most people 'like' things is based on how much things cost, so if it cost 180k they like over 18k bike. Makes them feel richer. But bike = not only 10 times cheaper but 10 times more excitement. And if one knows how to ride properly they are safer than cars...personally I find being smaller, faster and more nimble give me an advantage over driving a car, plus I have greater visibility without bits of car frame getting in the way...

[@0nkelD0kt0r]

what is your complain? Lamgorghini was taken over by Audi and it is an advantage now for both brands. Audi got the knowledge to build the R8 and in return showed the Italians how to build a car that is more user friendly and more reliable. Don't be so pessimistic it might be good for Ducati when a little bit more money is involved now.

[@pritampns]

Nice work MCN ........ you guys are good in Cars too

[@luisnerey]

Obviously a preference. People that ride motorcycles enjoy it differently from those who enjoy cars. It all depends on the weapon of choice. Speed is truly a wonderful thing.:0)

[@BobbiiBL]

That oldie is a fucking crazy man. Kuddos to you.

[@Lyashart]

This guy has the best job in the world!

[@elsimmo75]

MCN smoke pole to the max!!!

[@cider999]

Love the conclusion! It says everything about why even the most fancy cars are always worst then a motorcycle.

[@dirtbikeRACER42]

*in british accent* - "wait wait wait! I'm gettin in the carr but i must put on my hat first"

[@ShaftDrive]

very entertaining video. I can't wait till your review on the Panigale

[@mrnicktoyou]

@Darylw27 Practicality is no comparison. Also yes, you could use a bike every day but a 1198 is a race bike. It will be used for the track or on weekends. Or to go to a cafe to show off.

[@GrecoRoman123]

@Nolimittt Or I could just go to the manufacturer's website. Mercedes posts the displacement as 6208 cm3. Which is closer to 6.2 liters than 6.3 liters.

[@lilpattman]

I think this test would be better than it already is if they had a car guy test the bike like they have the mcn presenter in the car just to compare the feeling each enthusiast gets from their preferred vehicle. personally I am a car person and have been brought up in a car family but i have had a ride on a few bikes and I will admit a car can not produce the same amount of adrenaline/excitement that the bike can deliver but for me personally I am more calm focused and in control in a car.

[@droceretik]

It's actually 6,208 cc. Mercedes chose to label it 6.3 liters. So it is correct to call it a 6.2 liter engine.

[@MrLJboy1]

At the end of the day, bike are better, not for everything, but just for pure joy!

[@bradnorton691]

There is no comparing doing 100+ miles per hour with nothing between you and the road though! The rush is unrivaled. :)

[@Joos2000]

Very impressive production,guys. Good work!

[@FeuerA1]

I love it how they show a big "6.3" while he's saying 6.2 litre :-)